Determinant factors affecting the trends of permanent sterilization: a decadal analysis in a tertiary care institute

Background: Permanent sterilization is a preferred method of contraception worldwide. In spite of popularization of temporary methods, it is used by 2/3rd of married women using any contraception. It has a low incidence of complications and failure rate and is cost-effective. Various socio-demographic factors play a role in acceptability of this method. It has an important role in controlling the total fertility rate.Methods: A retrospective record based analysis was done in armed forces personnel undergoing permanent sterilization operation over 11 years between 2005-2015 in a tertiary care institute. Analysis of trends in method choices of surgery, and comparison of the variables determining these choices was done. Year wise total fertility rates was calculated and the trend over 11 years was analyzed.Results: Permanent sterilization operations were performed in 2121 couples over the 11 years period. Of total operations, 1823 (85.95% with 95% confidence interval = 84.42, 87.38) were done in females and 298 (14.05% with 95% confidence interval = 12.62, 15.58) in males. Female sterilization acceptance ranged between 71.6% to 91.6% and male sterilization between 8.4%-28.4% with an increasing trend towards male sterilization acceptance over the years. Total fertility rate declined from 2.3 to 2.09 in 11 years.Conclusions: Increase in literacy rate of both the partners can positively impact the male involvement in permanent sterilization and control of TFR. This would help to stabilize India’s population growth. Also, a decline in son preference can be beneficial for decline in fertility rate.